Dec 22 - Cross-Frontier Group Says Gibraltar Must Not Be Excluded From Brexit Transition Period
The Cross-Frontier Group has said that Gibraltar must not be excluded from any Brexit transition period.
A statement continued: “The meeting held between the institutional authorities of the ‘Comarca del Campo de Gibraltar’ and the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs has been viewed positively by the Cross-Frontier Group, although it considers it necessary to address the ambiguities that continue to exist in respects to the UK’s and Gibraltar’s departure from the EU.
“The Cross-Frontier Group held its final meeting of 2017 where matters pertaining to the latest developments in relation to Brexit were discussed, as well as those in relation to the UK - EU deal that allows for both sides to move onto Phase 2 of the talks, the deal regarding the Irish border and the meeting held between the institutional authorities of the ‘Comarca del Campo de Gibraltar’ and the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“The Group, comprised of both Trade Union and Business Representative Organisations from either side of the border, have coincided in qualifying the statements made by the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alfonso Dastis, following the meeting with the Mayors of the ‘Campo de Gibraltar’ as well as the President of the ‘Mancomunidad de Municipios’ in a positive light; in which the Minister has highlighted his desire to take into account the specific needs of the area in respects to the implementation of Brexit.
“In this sense, the declarations made in defence of Cross-Frontier Workers, as well as that of continuing frontier fluidity have been considered of particular importance, where some authorities privy to the meeting have qualified this to mean a ‘soft’ border.
“Notwithstanding this, the economic and social agents on either side of the border still consider that there are still too many questions that require addressing in the not too distant future and which are key for the continued economic interrelationship between Gibraltar and the ‘Comarca’ with its corresponding impact on thousands of citizens and businesses.”
Manolo Triano, current Cross-Frontier President, stated:
“It’s critical to maintain a relationship that allows for the continued economic interchange of both societies because there would be a great difficulty for anyone to talk about ‘Workers’ Rights’ if we are unable to maintain the economic framework that underpins their livelihoods.”
The Cross-Frontier Group has, similarly, emphasised that Gibraltar must form part of any transitional agreement reached between the UK and EU, on account that this crucial buffer period will be used to delineate the particulars of a post- Brexit reality. To this extent, the group calls on all Governments to reflect on this.
“It would be an unacceptable paradox for the territory that voted most in favour to remain in the European Union to be the first in leaving.”
In these respects, the Cross-Frontier Group has opted to request a meeting with the President of the ‘Mancomunidad de Municipios’, Mr Luis Angel Fernandez, following the developments of the Memorandum of Understanding between both entities, in order to address some of its concerns. The Cross-Frontier Group will also explore the possibility to resume contact with British Parliamentary representatives as from January 2018.
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